KUALA LUMPUR: PAS has decided to terminate its political cooperation with Bersatu, says Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
The PAS president said this after a special meeting of the PAS central working committee at the PAS headquarters Monday (June 8) night.
"We have decided to terminate all political cooperation with Bersatu and review the position and future direction of PAS-Bersatu political cooperation based on current reports, studies, and assessments.
"We endorse the decision of the Syura Council of Ulama meeting on June 2 regarding policy, legal (Shariah), and public interest (maslahah) considerations concerning PAS' political cooperation, based on the principle of Muslim unity (penyatuan ummah).
"We will explore a form of political understanding and electoral cooperation (electoral pact) for the sake of Muslim unity, in preparation for the state elections and the 16th General Election; and
to welcome the intention of academics, professionals, political leaders, and community activists to join PAS," said Abdul Hadi.
The leaders of PAS and Bersatu - the two main components and co-founders of Perikatan - have been butting heads since last December.
On Sunday (June 7), Bersatu reiterated its determination and commitment to maintain good relations with PAS in Perikatan Nasional.
Its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this after confirming he received a letter from PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan dated June 6.
The letter allegedly addressed the relationship between Bersatu and PAS, along with suggestions to strengthen Perikatan.
“I will give the necessary attention to the suggestions made and bring them to the party Supreme Council meeting for a more detailed discussion,” he said in a post on his social media on Sunday (June 7).
PAS and Bersatu have had a strained relationship over the past few months.
After the Perlis Mentri Besar saga in mid-December which saw PAS MB Mohd Shukri Ramli ousted and replaced by Bersatu MB Abu Bakar Hamzah.
PAS leaders criticised Bersatu over this, which later led to the resignation of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the Perikatan chairman.
PAS’ Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar then took over the chairmanship of the coalition.
On May 22, PAS president Abdul Hadi said that PAS will review its cooperation with Bersatu in Perikatan as the latter had allegedly not kept its promises and allegedly also stopped other political parties from joining Perikatan.
